Review: 2046 (B)

2046
Directed By Wong Kar Wai
Starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong,Li Gong and Takuya Kimura
MPAA: R
Grade: B

Review by Sebastion Francis Kennedy

Perhaps the least accessible of master director Wong Kar Wai's films, the far reaching 2046 is a visually mesmerizing feast. As usual, the art direction is superb and the acting is stellar. The script was overly complex and at the end, I felt that this was a film trying to accomplish too much.

Tony Leung stars as Chow, a writer that tells stories of love, longing and heartbreak. All of the stories revolve around a hotel room number 2046 (the same hotel room from Wong Kar Wai's masterpiece In The Mood For Love). He is a ladies man but deep inside, he is lonely. He is pursued by various women throughout the 60's and yet he can never have the one woman that he truly desires.

As with most films by Wong Kar Wai, this is about longing. Longing for some sense of meaning to life, and longing for love. As a whole, 2046 succeeds. However, the film does not live up to the director's previous efforts.

Review: Venus In Furs (A-)

Venus In Furs aka Paroxismus (1969)
Directed by Jesus (Jess) Franco
Starring James Darren, Klaus Kinski and Maria Rohm
MPAA: R
Grade: A-

Review by Bobby Nashville

Oh. My. God. This is one crazy, tripped out movie and what else can I say but - where has this movie been all of my life. Call it Euro-sleaze, call it tripped out acid sexploitation, call it whatever you want but this is an amazing film that really needs to be re-examined.

The plot is shaky at best. A jazz musician tries to piece his life together through a haze of sexual encounters as he wanders around Europe. Scenes are often in slow motion, and the colors are fantastic. He questions reality and at one point questions whether he is alive or dead. Klaus Kinski wanders around like a vampire and adds to the overrall freakiness. An art dealer that never speaks is controlled by women telepathically. The Venus In Furs? She's a lesbian with a penchant for sex and fur coats.

The freaky, acid jazz soundtrack is by Manfred Mann and it really jumps. Based on a classic novel of the same name, Venus In Furs has been released under a bunch of different names, including Black Angel, Jess Franco's Venus in Furs, and Paroxsysmos. I call it awesome.

News: Free Weekly Newsletter

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It's a great way to stay up to date on the independent film scene. Why wait? Sign Up Today.

News: Carlito's Way Prequel

DVD Confidential has the inside scoop on the highly anticipated prequel to Carlito's Way. It's called Carlito's Way: Rise To Power and it stars Jay Hernandez, Mario Van Peebles, Sean Combs and one of our favorites, Luis Guzman.

Carlito’s Way: The Rise To Power comes from the same producer as Scarface and the original Carlito’s Way. This is a gripping tale of the early years of gangster legend Carlito Brigante. Seduced by the power of the brutal New York underworld, he enters a deadly circle of greed and retribution. Carlito, with his two brothers in crime, is on the fast track to becoming Spanish Harlem’s ultimate kingpin, but quickly learns that the only way to survive at the top is through loyalty to his friends and respect for the rules of the street.

Universal has just launched a cool new re-design of the official Carlitos Way - Rise To Power website. The site has cast images and will soon feature the trailer and other information.

News: Devils Rejects Guitar Giveaway

Today is the day – The Devil’s Rejects is in theatres. This new film is Rob Zombie's follow up to House of 1000 Corpses and it looks pretty sweet.

To celebrate the opening, Lions Gate is doing something huge – they’re giving away 8 awesome guitars with the Devil’s Last Supper photo on it. They’re valued at $600 each. Frankly thats the best promotion we have heard of in a long, long time. Who doesn't want a guitar with the Devil's Last Supper on it?

Just go to The Devil's Rejects site and enter to win the guitar at the bottom of the homepage. The contest ends on July 29th, so don't sleep on this one.

Good luck everybody!

Review: 9 Songs (D)

9 Songs (2005)
Directed by Michael Winterbotton
Starring Kieran O'Brien, Margo Stilley, The Dandy Warhols, Franz Ferdinand
MPAA: UR
Grade: D

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

For all of the hype surrounding this film, one would think that 9 Songs would be a complicated movie. It's not. 9 Songs concerns a couple that has a torrid love affair. They have sex (lots of it) and attend rock concerts together. That's basically the movie. And therein lies the problem.

Michael Winterbottom, the director behind 24 Hour Party People obviously has a strong grasp on storytelling. 24 Hour Party People was a biographical effort that spun a fantastic tale of one man's journey (Tony Wilson). Perhaps that's why I was so disappointed by 9 Songs.

9 Songs is a flat, sex filled collage of one couple's shallow love affair in England. The couple's relationship does not really change much during the film, and at the conclusion of 9 Songs, I was left asking "Is that all there is?" They have sex, then go to concerts. Got it. Where's the movie? If I wanted to see Franz Ferdinand and the Dandy Warhols rock out, I could certainly grab some concert vids.

It is my duty to report that the love scenes in 9 Songs are explicit. The graphic lovemaking here will will certainly offend many. Frankly, I was more offended by the lack of story than the sex scenes. I can't really recommend this film to anyone, except perhaps as a curiosity.

Review: Jaws (A-)

Jaws (1975)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary
MPAA: PG
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

"You're gonna need a bigger boat."

Thirty years after it's release, Jaws continues to amaze. The film that started the whole "blockbuster" film genre is wonderful entertainment.

If you haven't seen Jaws you have either been living on Mars, or are under the age of ten. The story is legend: a monster shark terrorizes the beaches of Amity, New York. Chief Brody (played by Roy Scheider) enlists the help of a scientist named Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and a gruff old shark boat captain named Quint (Robert Shaw). The trio heads out to sea for a battle royale with the greatest screen shark of all time.

What I love about this film is it's simplicity. Spielberg starts the film off with a shark attack, and the attacks never stop coming. The town has to come to grips with it, and solve the problem or lose their summer business revenue. The town moves from denial to panic. The trio of Scheider, Shaw and Dreyfuss have great chemistry and as they head out to fight the shark, you really can't help but root for them.

Jaws was excellently casted, acted and directed (perhaps Spielberg's best). There is a reason that this is considered by many to be the best thriller of all time - Jaws is a classic.

News: Meet The Family

"Meet the Family", an independent urban comedy premieres this Friday in LA. This urban comedy is based on the hit play about the large and slightly dysfunctional Rump family. The DVD will be coming out in the Fall. Meet the Family stars John Gipson (Big Momma's House), Beau Billingslea (What Boys Like), Marilyn Sue Perry (What Boys Like), Don Carl Harper (Soul Food) and Jennifer Alden (Wedding Crashers), and was written, directed and produced by Stan Lerner.

Check out http://meetthefamily.com for more information on the movie, or view the Meet the Family video trailer at:

Meet The Family Trailer (available in QuickTime or Windows Media)

Review: DiG! (A)

DiG! (2004)
Directed by Ondi Timoner
Starring The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Dandy Warhols, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor- Taylor
MPAA: R
Grade: A

Review by Ellyn Elm

Before sitting down to watch DiG! I vaguely remember listening to and liking the Dandy Warhols and had heard of the Brian Jonestown Massacre in passing. Given my limited knowlege of both bands, I must confess DiG! was a revelation. It is a fascinating, downright compelling look into the indie music scene spanning seven years starting in the mid-nineties.

I won't give too much away by saying that DiG! documents the rise of the Dandy Warhols, fronted by the uber-charismatic Courtney Taylor, and the simultaneous disintegration of the Brian Jonestown Massacre led by the messianic Anton Newcombe. Initially friends, members of both bands meet, share music, lots of drugs and a mutual admiration before going their vastly separate ways. Watching the success of the Dandies and the implosion of the BJM as the story unfolds is not unlike witnessing a train wreck in slow motion. It’s painful and tantalizing and absolutely riveting.

Narrated by Taylor and replete with live footage, interviews and smug character analyses of and by everyone involved, DiG! offers an interesting interpretation of what constitutes success – commercial or otherwise. Required viewing for anyone who wants to be “famous”.

Review: Cry Baby (C+)

Cry Baby
Directed by John Waters
Starring Johnny Depp, Amy Locane, Traci Lords, Polly Bergen, Iggy Pop, Ricki Lake, Willem Dafoe & Patty Hearst
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: C+

Review by Scott Standish

John Waters created this homage to teen delinquency as a follow up to the hugely successful Hairspray. Full of musical numbers and kitsch, Cry Baby is an entertaining film that never seems to gather much steam.

Johny Depp stars as Cry Baby, a wanna be rock star that is in love with a square girl. She falls for him, but of course, her square friends try to keep the two apart. The focus of the film is on the young couple's struggles to find each other, and stay together. Depp and Locane have very poor chemistry, but Traci Lords and Ricki Lake do excellent jobs in supporting roles.

Waters pours on the B movie camp as usual but Cry Baby is certainly no Hairspray. If you are a huge John Waters fan, this might work for you. Personally, I prefer Cecil B Demented and Hairspray (of course). Fans of Depp will probably be a little disappointed, as this is certainly not his best work.

Review: Joint Security Area (C-)

Joint Security Area (2000)
Directed by Chan-wook Park
Starring Yeong-ae Lee, Byung-hun Lee, Kang-ho Song, Tae-woo Kim
MPAA: UR
Grade: C-

Review by Bobby Nashville

I am not big on military thrillers, so I went into Joint Security Area with low expectations. Unfortunately, I was still disappointed. JSA features bad dialogue made worse by poor acting.

In the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, two soldiers have been killed. An investigation into the murders is led by a Swiss/Swedish team that is convinced of a cover up. Most of the drama is centered around the border guards and their roles in the cover up. Cliche? A little. The dialogue is also stilted and the acting is subpar. Most of the scenes are shot at night and the film has a dark, brooding look that just got tedious at times.

Joint Security Area is your standard military thriller, with mediocre dialogue and subpar acting. It's worth a rental if you are interested in North/South Korean politics, but otherwise, there's not a lot to crow about here.

News: My Date With Drew

Okay, here is a comedy that sounds very interesting. My Date With Drew is an independent film that is a little different than most. According to the film's press material, My Date With Drew was shot entirely for $1,100 that Brian Herzlinger won on a game show. The production used a camera purchased on credit from Circuit City, and then returned under the store’s 30-day refund policy. On his journey to woo Drew Barrymore, Herzlinger consults a psychic for love advice, hires a Drew look-alike to practice his date etiquette and crashes the world premiere of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle simply to steal a glance at his dream girl. Supporting Herzlinger’s quest with anecdotes and advice are several Hollywood insiders who appear as themselves including Eric Roberts, Corey Feldman and Charlie’s Angels screenwriter John August. The film is directed by Herzlinger, Brett Winn, Jon Gunn and produced by Kerry David. My Date With Drew opens in theaters August 5, 2005

Review: Rock Opera (B)

Rock Opera (1999)
Directed by Bob Ray
Starring Jerry Don Clark, Ted Jarrell, Chad Holt and Paul Wright
MPAA: UR
Grade: (B)

Review by Bobby Nashville

Completely not what I expected! The independent film Rock Opera, directed by Bob Ray is a low budget sleeper hit on DVD. Although it has been sold as a comedy, this is one of those films that is a little hard to categorize. Rock Opera starts off like Slacker meets Cheech & Chong, but it shifts gears midway and the serious nature of the second half makes this a better film than many give it credit.

Rock Opera tells the story of Toe (nice name), an Austin slacker that just wants to sell enough weed to finance his grunge band's upcoming tour. He gets mixed in with the wrong people, makes a few bad decisions, and ends up having to dig himself out of one big hole.

Most of the movie is full of weed jokes and indie music slang. The dialogue is sharp and Rock Opera has some very good performances. I really enjoyed the way that the characters constantly ripped on each other, with realistic dialogue (I would not be surprised if much of it was improvised, it seemed that real).

A slacker film with some unexpected twists, Rock Opera was a pleasant surprise. Check this one out and look for the band Nashville Pussy, who make an appearance.

Review: Mr. Show Complete Series (B-)

Mr. Show (Complete Series)(2004)
Starring Bob Odenkirk and David Cross
MPAA: UR
Grade: (B-)

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

I have to admit, I never watched Mr. Show when it was on HBO. However, a good friend recently turned me on to the stand up comedy of David Cross. Brilliant! So I investigated Mr. Show.

Mr. show was one of the best sketch comedy shows out there, and it really pushed alot of buttons - no wonder it was on HBO (not broadcast tv). Similar to the Ben Stiller show (Cross was a writer on the Ben Stiller show), this is your standard sketch comedy, but with some dark humor underlying most of the jokes. Puns are often strung from sketch to sketch and no subject is taboo. I really enjoyed this set.

If you have never seen Mr. Show, you definitely need to rent this DVD series. If you enjoyed it during it's HBO run, this is a must own collection.

News: Saw 2 Trailers

The trailers to Saw 2 are out, and DVD Confidential has them!

While investigating the bloody aftermath of a grizzly murder, Detective Eric Mason (Donnie Wahlberg) has the feeling that it is the work of Jigsaw, the notorious killer who disappeared leaving a trail of bodies - and parts - behind.

And Mason is right.

Jigsaw is at work again. But instead of two people locked in a room with only one unthinkable way out, there are eight. Eight strangers – unaware of their connection to each other -- forced to play out a game that challenges their wits and puts their lives in jeopardy.

http://lionsgate.arcostream.net/lionsgate/saw2/saw2_tzr_56.wmv

http://lionsgate.arcostream.net/lionsgate/saw2/saw2_tzr_150.wmv

http://lionsgate.arcostream.net/lionsgate/saw2/saw2_tzr_300.wmv

http://lionsgate.arcostream.net/lionsgate/saw2/saw2_tzr_700.wmv

http://lionsgate.arcostream.net/lionsgate/saw2/saw2_tzr_1500.wmv

News: Trailers For The Island

DVD Confidential has landed some very cool insider video clips from the new Michael Bay film The Island. The Island is set for release on July 22nd. In addition to the 8 clips, there are 2 behind the scenes featurettes. The first, titled "Bay-hem” explores Michael Bay’s style of direction through behind the scenes clips and interviews with the director and cast. The second featurette titled “Production” is a behind the scenes look at the making of the film. Enjoy!

Featurette "Bay-hem" TRT: 3:30

QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_qt_480.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat1_rm_56.ram


Featurette "Production" TRT: 3:23

QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_qt_480.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/feat/island_feat2_rm_56.ram


Island Clip #1 "I Wish There Was More"

QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_wm_56.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip1_rm_56.ram



Island Clip #2 "Jordan Wins the Lottery"

QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip2_rm_56.ram


Island Clip #3 "Two Products Have Escaped"

QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip3_rm_56.ram


Island Clip #4 "You Are Clones!
Quick Time 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip4_rm_56.ram


Island Clip #5 "Never Give Her Your Credit Card"
QuickTime
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip5_rm_56.ram


Island Clip #6 "Getting Caught"
QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_qt_240.mov


Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip6_rm_56.ram


Island Clip #7 " Train Wheel Chase"
QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip7_rm_56.ram


Island Clip #8 "Worth Every Penny"
QuickTime 5
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_qt_640.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_qt_352.mov
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_qt_240.mov

Windows Media Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_wm_750.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_wm_300.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_wm_150.asx
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_wm_56.asx

Real Player Links
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_rm_750.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_rm_300.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_rm_150.ram
http://www.dreamworks.com/trailers/island/clips/island_clip8_rm_56.ram

Review: Nomi Song, The (B)

The Nomi Song (2004)
Directed by Andrew Horn
Starring Klaus Nomi, Man Parrish, David Bowie, Kristian Hoffman, Kenny Scharf
MPAA: UR
Grade: B

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

A stunning documentary about a very strange, very talented man. Directed by Andrew Horn, this film entertains and educates as it tells the story of one of new wave's most eclectic artists - Klaus Nomi.

Klaus Nomi was a New York club performer that mixed opera with new wave, fashion with science fiction, and theatrics with humor. He was one of a kind. He looked like an alien, sang like an opera diva and he kept his personal life a mystery to all. Nomi Song wisely focuses on his art, and the impact of his music on the people around him. A huge cult following surrounded Nomi in the 80's and after a successful tour of Europe, he was on his way to international superstardom. Unfortunately, the Nomi Song is as tragic as it is uplifting.

Director Andrew Horn deftly cuts together interviews with performance footage to keep the viewer riveted. The Nomi Song is a quality documentary and it is worth seeking out.

News: The Jerk's Anniversary

The Jerk: 26th Anniversary Edition is coming to town on DVD July 26th. We love that title. 26th Anniversary. Perfect!

That wild and crazy guy, Steve Martin, makes his film-starring debut in this wild and crazy comedy hit The Jerk. Steve portrays Navin Johnson, adopted son of a poor black sharecropper family, whose crazy inventions lead him from rags to riches and right back to rags. Along the way, he’s smitten with a lady motorcycle racer, survives a series of screwball attacks by a deranged killer, becomes a millionaire by inventing the “Opti-grab” handle for eyeglasses – and shows why he’s one of the hottest comic performers in America today.

The Jerk: 26th Anniversary Edition includes bonus features such as “The Lost Filmstrips of Father Carlos Las Vegas de Cordova”, ”Learn How to Play ‘Tonight You Belong to Me’” and more.

Review: Casino (B+)

Casino (1995)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring Robert Deniro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, Don Rickles and James Woods
MPAA: R
Grade: B+

Review by Scott Standish  

Casino will always be measured against the quintessential Scorsese gangster film GoodFellas. It stars the same leads (Robert Deniro and Joe Pesci) and they play similar roles. In fact when I first saw the trailer for Casino I wondered if it was based on the same characters, only set in Vegas a short bit later. Of course, that was impossible as both are true stories, but they were really that similar in tone.

Casino tells the story of two mobsters that gain control of the Tangiers casino in Las Vegas. Deniro plays Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a handicapper so good that he was eventually given total control over the Tangiers. Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, a mob enforcer that is sent by the mob to make sure that no one interferes with Rothstein.

Pesci plays the same hot headed, violent lunatic that he did in GoodFellas, but Deniro shows a little more restraint as Ace. In Vegas, Ace has found a legal way to cheat the public out of their hard earned funds, so he's not interested in breaking the law. Why mess up a good thing?

Rothstein's first mistake was to marry Ginger, a boozing drug addict ex-prostitute. She is still in love with her grease-ball ex-pimp Lester Diamond (played wonderfully by James Woods) and she just can't seem to devote herself to the new marriage. Ginger continually steals cash from Rothstein to give it to Lester. Stone is very impressive in this film and she was rewarded with an Academy Award nomination for the performance.

Casino features some groundbreaking performances (Stone and Pesci are both brilliant) but as a whole, the film itself is not groundbreaking. Casino is simply a classic gangster film that all Scorsese fans must add to their collection. Highly recommended.

Movie News: Scarlett Johansson's Latest

Scarlett Johansson has been a very busy actress lately. DVD Confidential has learned that Lions Gate Films has set a September theatrical release date for A Good Woman. The film stars Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Wilkinson. This elegant and witty romantic comedy is based on Oscar Wilde’s classic play, “Lady Windermere’s Fan.”

Set in the 1930s on the beautiful shores of the Italian Riviera, Lions Gate Films’ A Good Woman follows the seductive Mrs. Erlynne (Hunt), scorned by many as a ‘woman of ill repute,’ leaves New York for the Amalfi coast, where she hopes to find a new ‘patron’ among the vacationing aristocrats. The mean-spirited gossip stirred up by Mrs. Erlynne’s arrival isn’t enough to dissuade the jovial, kind-hearted Lord Augustus (Wilkinson) from falling in love with her. But Mrs. Erlynne has already set her sights on the married Robert Windermere (Mark Umbers), a wealthy young American who falls quickly under her spell. Windermere’s faithful wife, Meg (Johansson), is herself distracted by the flirtatious overtures of Lord Darlington (Stephen Campbell Moore), a notorious playboy. But when she learns of her husband’s blossoming affair, Meg resorts to drastic measures, with unexpected consequences for everyone involved…

Brimming with sumptuous locales and sweeping romance, A Good Woman is a sophisticated ode to Wilde’s legendary wit and wisdom, beautifully directed by Mike Barker from a sparkling script by Howard Himelstein.

A Good Woman will be in theatres on September 16th.

Movie News: Sneak Peak At 9 Songs

DVD Confidential has the inside scoop on Michael Winterbottom's next movie. Are you ready for 69 Minutes of Sex and Rock n’ Roll? The film is called 9 Songs and it is a cinema-verite love story, a tale of two lovers who go to indie rock concerts and well….have a lot of kinky sex. Cut together with actual concert footage and real sex melded together as the memories of the protagonist, while he flies over the Arctic on an expedition.

Directed by Michael Winterbottom, the director behind 24-hour Party People and the Sci-fi thriller Code 46, this one is already creating some great word of mouth. Some great bands in this one as well: Franz Ferdinand, The Von Bondies, The Dandy Warhols, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Elbow, Super Furry Animals. Looks like a good one...

Review: Freestyle - The Art of Rhyme (B)

Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (2000)
Directed by Kevin Fitzgerald
Starring The Last Poets, Supernatural, Mos Def and Medusa
MPAA: UR
Grade: B

Review by Bobby Nashville

I'm a huge fan of old school rap, particularly Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa. Although I am pretty much up to speed on the history of hip hop, I have to admit that I have lost touch with the latest trends. Freestyle is a refreshing film that got me caught up with what's happening in hip hop, without preaching.

The evolution of hip hop is fascinating, and the incredible documentary Freestyle does a great job of showing where the art form is at, and where it is going. Freestyle rappers are different than "written word" hip hoppers because they make up their rhymes right on the spot. In other words, they improvise their rhymes.

MCs (rappers) also battle each other by trading rhymes back and forth. Each rapper must address the topics raised by the other, as this ensures that the rhymes are truly made up on the spot. There is an interesting storyline within this documentary about the freestyler Supernatural and his battles with other MCs. Basically, like the old west, once you are on top, everyone is gunning for you.

Freestyle shines a light on a fascinating art form that often goes unnoticed by the general public. This film has won numerous awards, including two wins for best documentary. Freestyle is highly recommend, especially if you are interested in hip hop, poetry or music in general.

Movie News: Michael Bay's Online Buzz

DVD Confidential has learned that Michael Bay's new film The Island is starting to create some buzz online. The online marketing campaign for the thriller (starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson) has been largely underground thus far. It has sought to engage fans through the creation of two fictional websites. The first, Merrick Biotech (the same company is in the movie) is an elaborate flash site that tells visitors they offer an organ cloning and transplant service. The second is a fictional non-profit organization called Clone Watch.org. Clone Watch is dedicated to stopping evil corporations like Merrick Biotech from breaking the world’s “natural laws.” The site even contains clips from The Island that have been altered to make them look as though they were taken from a hidden camera. These sights along with an online petition found at http://www.petitiononline.com/merrick/petition.html have been leaked to several blogs and message boards. The result has been increased online buzz about cloning, and great speculation about who is behind the creation of these sites.

There was a nation-wide sneak preview of The Island, the new Michael Bay movie starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson on Saturday, July 9th.

Review: Beyond The Sea (C-)

Beyond The Sea (2004)
Directed by Kevin Spacey
Starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman and Bob Hoskins
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: C-

Review by Bobby Nashville

I may not know much about film, but I do know that any movie that starts off with the cast arguing over how to tell the film should proceed is probably in trouble. A character known as "Little Bobby" claims to know exactly how the story should be told, and he continually pops up throughout the story to question the direction of the movie. What the hell is that all about? Talk about annoying.

It's a real shame that this film was so lame, and there's no way around it, folks, Kevin Spacey is to blame. Spacey wrote and directed this ambitious musical biography, so frankly, he has to take responsibility for it's uneven pacing and ludricous script. Kate Bosworth was a poor casting choice as Sandra Dee and Spacey looks absolutely freakish in all of that makeup. If it weren't for the excellent dance numbers, Beyond The Sea would have flat out bombed.

I have to cut Beyond The Sea a little slack, if for no other reason than I actually like Bobby Darin's music, especially the big band stuff. He had a great way of phrasing and his arrangements always had a lot of punch. Spacey certainly has a great voice (he sang all of the music), and he does a great job bringing the stage act to life. However, the strong musical elements of Beyond The Sea are not enough to make up for the awkward script, meandering direction and poor editing. This one is for serious Bobby Darin fans only.

News: Undiscovered Set For August

Lions Gate has arranged for an August release for Undiscovered, the comedy starring Pell James, Steven Strait, Kip Pardue, Carrie Fisher and singer, Ashlee Simpson. Set in the world of up-and-coming artists, Undiscovered is a heartfelt and comic film that tells the story of an aspiring model who falls in love with a struggling musician when they suddenly cross paths on a NY subway train.

Having achieved success as a NY model, Brier (James) decides to move to L.A. to launch an acting career. With the support of her acerbic agent and sometimes surrogate mom, Carrie (Fisher), Brier lands a spot in a highly sought after acting class where she befriends another would-be actress, Clea (Simpson). While out on the town discovering the music scene, Brier again crosses paths with Luke (Strait), a singer/songwriter who has been toiling for years without a record deal. Brier and Clea decide to help Luke and unbeknownst to him, they set out to create some L.A. style hype to get him noticed. As Luke’s profile rises, so do the demands of his budding new career. When Luke and Brier can’t hide the spark that was always there, they both discover that the price of fame may be higher than anyone expected.

DVD Review: Fat Actress Season One (B-)

Fat Actress - Season One
Starring Kirstie Alley, Rachael Harris, Kid Rock, Bryan Callen, Kelly Preston, Jeff Zucker
MPAA: UR
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

No where is the influence of the Larry David show on television comedy more apparent than on Kirstie Alley's Fat Actress. The show is basically Kirstie (as herself) dealing with everday issues, surrounded by a cookie cast of friends and assistants. If you have seen the Larry David show then you know that the format is loose, the jokes are often improvised and each episode has a documentary style. Both shows are also funny as hell.

On Fat Actress, Kirstie Alley copes with her weight problem. She is obsessed with it, and apparently, so is the media. She is on the front page of tabloids and can't seem to land a new acting gig. Instead of starting a sensible diet and sticking to it, she opts for crazy schemes and of course, they don't work. She is constantly pushing her assistants around and trying to manipulate her old network (NBC), usually by blackmail.

As a mindless diversion, Fat Actress is decent television. It's fast paced, there are some great running gags (her obsession with Kid Rock is hilarious) and co-stars Rachael Harres and Bryan Callen are tremendous. Definitely worth a rental.

DVD Review: 25th Hour (A-)

25th Hour (2002)
Directed by Spike Lee
Starring Edward Norton, Rosario Dawson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Cox, Barry Pepper and Anna Paquin
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

Without a doubt, 25th Hour is Spike Lee's most even paced, confident and slickest film to date. It is also his best.

Based on the successful book by David Benioff (he also wrote the screenplay), 25th Hour is an absorbing tale of one man's last night of freedom. Edward Norton plays Monty Brogran, an Irish kid that's made a lot of money as a street smart drug dealer for the Russian mob. Sentenced to 7 years in prison, he has one night left to meet with friends and family.

Monty plans a going away party with his friends (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper) and his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson). As the evening wears on and the time of reckoning grows near, he tries to piece together the events that have brought him to this point. Where did he go wrong? Did his girl set him up? Who can he trust?

On the surface, 25th Hour is an engaging drama about Monty Brogran sorting out his life, but Spike Lee takes things a little deeper than that. The film is set in New York in the 9-11 aftermath, and characters all seem to be sorting out who they are in this new framework. With seven years of trauma ahead for his son, Monty's father (the wonderful Brian Cox) beats himself up with regret, blaming himself for the problems that have led to Monty's situation. Everyone in this movie second guesses the paths they have chosen in life. The question here seems to be: If given another shot, would they make different choices?

Spike Lee has a tendency to hammer home his endings with little subtlety, but that is not the case here. 25th Hour has an ending that is powerful without being heavy handed. Spike Lee's 25th Hour is a wonderful movie and is highly recommended.

Buy 25th Hour On DVD from Amazon.com

DVD Review: 24 Hour Party People (B)

24 Hour Party People (2002)
Directed by Michael Winterbottom
Starring Steve Coogan, Sean Harris and Andy Serkis
Grade: B

Review by Scott Standish

Full of energy and wit, 24 Hour Party People tells the story of Tony Wilson, a maverick TV journalist in Manchester England. Tony also hosts a music TV show and attends lots of local gigs by the punk groups of the 70's. Inspired by a single Sex Pistols performance he decides to start his own record label.

Tony Wilson's Factory record label put out some of the best punk and new wave music of the 70s and 80s, featuring bands such as Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays. The trials and tribulations of Tony running a record company are interesting indeed, as he explicitly shows drug binges, booze bashes, girl chasing and general mayhem. He opens a nightclub for live bands (and later DJs) that becomes as trend setting as his record label.

The structure of 24 Hour Party People is unique in that Steve Coogan presents the story in character as Tony Wilson recounting his life. He then cuts to himself in character actually doing the things or meeting the people that he has just described. Its sounds confusing but its actually handled quite smoothly.

Archival footage of bands (Sex Pistols, Siouxsie and the Banshees, etc) is often inter cut right into the dramatic scenes and the effect, while at first jarring, eventually proves quite effective. The acting is solid across the board and Sean Harris (as Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis) is especially good. If you are looking for a slightly offbeat independent film and have a taste for the punk/new wave music of the 80's then give 24 Hour Party People a shot.

Buy 24 Hour Party People On DVD From Amazon.com